Phoenix is the charming capital of Arizona and offers everything you would expect from the Southwest, including ruggedly magnificent desert scenery. Quickly rising as a metropolis best explored by car rental, the city non-the-less retains its old Southwest flavor and is popular with visitors.
Getting there
The largest airport in the Southwest, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport is the primary gateway to the area, serving many national and international flights. The airport also provides plenty of national travel deals. Phoenix cannot be reached by rail; however, Amtrak does offer daily stops in nearby Tucson.
By road, Phoenix is connected to Los Angeles and Tucson by I-10 and to Flagstaff via I-17. From Scottsdale, the easiest route is to take the Red Mountain Freeway (Arizona 202) east to US 101 north. The Superstition Freeway (US 60) will get you here by rental car to Phoenix from Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. I-8, which runs just south of the city, comes in from the east, including San Diego.
Key attractions
Located in Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden is a good place to view local desert life without getting scorched. It houses an amazing collection of beautiful and hardy plant life and also contains the Phoenix Zoo. Another worthy sight is the Heard Museum, which offers a look at the local tribal history and great arts and crafts shopping. Nearby, the Arizona Science Museum is great for families, with its hundreds of hands-on displays, a planetarium and a five-storey movie theatre.
Out and about
Comprised of several urban areas rolled into one, the Phoenix area provides a variety of attractions to suit all tastes and a beautiful surrounding desert. Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix and known for its well preserved Old West style old town. Highlights are the Scottsdale Historical Museum and the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, conveniently located in the same building.
A popular day-trip destination by rental car in Phoenix is the scenically stunning Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River, which is located on the largest Indian reservation in America а the Navajo Indian Reservation. The reservation is also a great place to get some deals on Native American artwork and crafts.
Leisure options
Phoenix offers a varied club and music scene. While everything is spread out, there are a few concentrations of clubs and bars located in downtown Scottsdale, Tempe’s Mill avenue, and downtown Phoenix. Scottsdale boasts an eclectic array of clubs in the neighborhoods surrounding the corner of Camel back road and Scottsdale road. Downtown Phoenix is home to Symphony Hall, the Herberger Theater Center, and several sports bars.
Safety
traveler’s should be careful when driving long distances by car rental through wilderness areas where there are few facilities. Make sure you have a full tank and bring along water in case of a breakdown. Those participating in outdoor activities may also be placing themselves at greater risk of accident and injury. It is advisable to take out travel insurance and seek out national travel deals before you visit Phoenix.